The science of laughter - Sasha Winkler

Explore the common scientific theories about why humans laugh, and how this universal behavior evolved.
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Isn’t it odd that, when something’s funny, you might show your teeth, change your breathing, become weak and achy in some places, and maybe even cry? In other words, why do we do this bizarre thing that is laughter? Since there’s no archaeological record of laughter, it’s impossible to say exactly how and why it evolved, but scientists have some theories. Sasha Winkler digs into the reflex.
Lesson by Sasha Winkler, directed by Hanna Rybak.
Animal vocalization sounds are courtesy of Dr. Jaak Panksepp, Schwing, R., Nelson, X. J., Wein, A., & Parsons, S. (2017). Positive emotional contagion in a New Zealand parrot. Current Biology, 27(6), R213-R214.
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Keep Learning
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View full lesson: ed.ted.com/les...
Dig deeper with additional resources: ed.ted.com/les...
Animator's website: vimeo.com/hann..., www.behance.ne..., / hannarybak_
Music: / fazfarkas
Sound design: yessian.com
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Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Khalifa Alhulail, Martin Stephen, Jose Henrique Leopoldo e Silva, Mandeep Singh, Abhijit Kiran Valluri, Morgan Williams, Devin Harris, Pavel Zalevskiy, Karen Goepen-Wee, Filip Dabrowski, Barbara Smalley, Megan Douglas, Tim Leistikow, Ka-Hei Law, Hiroshi Uchiyama, Mark Morris, Misaki Sato, EdoKun, SookKwan Loong, Bev Millar, Lex Azevedo, Michael Aquilina, Jason A Saslow, Yansong Li, Cristóbal Moenne, Dawn Jordan, Prasanth Mathialagan, Samuel Doerle, David Rosario, Dominik Kugelmann - they-them, Siamak Hajizadeh, Ryohky Araya, Mayank Kaul, Christophe Dessalles, Heather Slater, Sandra Tersluisen, Zhexi Shan, Bárbara Nazaré, Andrea Feliz, Victor E Karhel, Sydney Evans, Latora, Noel Situ, emily lam, Sid, Niccolò Frassetto, Mana, I'm here because of Knowledge Fight Facebook group., Linda Freedman and Edgardo Cuellar.

[@LewisBavin]

The animation direction is extremely impressive

[@hannarybak_]

thank you!

[@BarbaraUngiertM]

It really is! I love the bear reacting to the man laughing 😅

[@LewisBavin]

@RepentandbelieveinJesusChrist- true

[@steveygruss]

@@hannarybak_have you helped with Headspace by any chance?

[@Canvas1318]

@@hannarybak_ I think i see you enjoying yourself while animating in the animation

[@tashibalampkin8555]

3:15 I love how the bear is looking somewhat concerned.

[@misfitbrit1989]

Laughter is the best medicine to keep bears away!

[@ThaMentalGod2003]

@@misfitbrit1989 i guess nobody survived to disprove this statement

[@holisticmaya]

I literally asked myself this very question last week. SO glad to find this!

[@AureliazPC]

same here, TED Ed just knows what we are in need of atm

[@MudroZvon]

So, what did you answer?

[@Diobot]

BRUH I wondered about it just yesterday!!

[@peachmango5347]

I also asked recently. My thoughts went to "comedy" as a literary and cultural category and its presence in ancient Greece. So I was thinking in a different direction than this video but still interested to find it.

[@tommac21]

Why ? It's simple because somethings funny. Why must everything be over analyzed. Nobody will ever truly know

[@LittleDogTobi]

3:30 my favorite of many cute animation details in this video is the baby blinking each eye individually. Now *that* got a laugh out of me.

[@TEDEd]

😉

[@respectableaf9061]

Probably a lizard human 😉

[@hannarybak_]

glad you noticed 🙃

[@legitusername-zl7to]

​​@@TEDEd *female body visualiser video laugh*

[@justanothermortal1373]

Mine was the guy hanging from the crane 1:07

[@ramzi2299]

I was smiling while watching the whole vid, kinda made my day.

[@spriffel]

So was I.

[@Sunflowersarepretty]

Laughter is the best medicine. Sometimes all we need is a good laugh to let go of all the stress and negativity. I watch cat videos or memes to laugh. 😂

[@akanshsrivastav8269]

Laughter is the best medicine unless you're diabetic then insulin is the best medicine

[@ItsMe-sx9ck]

Ya dude cat video are just perfect 😅

[@Agent-ie3uv]

cat videos are adorable but its not funny

[@aditisk99]

It's so hard to laugh on memes nowadays coz they've become more and more relatable 😅

[@nickiiimartinez1946]

@RepentandbelieveinJesusChrist- you just had to be here, do you

[@w.w8525]

1:17 I love how serious those scientists are at tickling a mouse 😊

[@Macadamia-animations]

The person that made this has the cutest art style I love it

[@hannarybak_]

thank you! 🤗

[@ariwarii]

@@hannarybak_you deserve more subs and credittt

[@princessm6832]

@@hannarybak_ i love ur artstyle so much

[@arkraneus]

your artstyle is pretty cute as well i love it ❤️

[@은이준-f5h]

S th나는

[@ieornl]

This made me smile. I was going through a period of not finding anything funny anymore.. but then I was reminded that laughter can be good and there's always something funny out there and I'm gonna find it.

[@pepsusser]

I hope you found it comrade

[@pt.antonio]

Laughter has this social bonding component, but it also works as a buffer. We often laugh when something unexpected happens and it helps the brain relax and to better process what's happening by increasing the oxygen intake and the blood flow. A lot of jokes work by subverting expectations, for example.

[@BloodSweatandFears]

I always laugh in inappropriate situations 😅 that makes a lot of sense now!

[@awesomehpt8938]

Because some things are funny?

[@dandiaz19934]

Flawless analysis

[@latifeerarslan6310]

Yeah it’s simple

[@jaylolatina2366]

You need to get deeper from that

[@natheriver8910]

👏👏👏

[@wearesatellites91]

Tell me you aren’t intellectual without telling me you aren’t intellectual.

[@lovinanewton7751]

absolutely lovely theme and info we didnt know we needed as always. and also how do you keep getting better and better at animation you guys! the visuals, sounds and all the concepts put in here need to be recognised!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE it

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Me too.

[@RingoBars]

The animation team nailed it - gave me a good chuckle or two 👌

[@zenstoryshare]

Laughter is truly the best medicine, and finding something that tickles your funny bone can be just the cure for a bad day. It's amazing how a good laugh can melt away stress and negativity, leaving you feeling lighter and more energized.

[@Tamizushi]

TLDR, it's a way to express friendliness. For most species, this is mostly useful while playfighting. Playfighting allows individuals of a group to bond, to test each other's strength and to practice fighting skills without introducing the same levels of risk as a serious fight. Laughing during the fight helps to maintain an appropriate level of aggressiveness. This is also true in humans, although humans tend to use laughter to express friendliness in more varied situations, such as bonding by joking with someone, or laughing to diffuse a situation when one is feeling nervous. Furthermore, like other bonding behaviors, laughing helps to relieve stress, with all the health benefits that come with lower stress levels. Finally, laughing feels good and is often done for simple gratification.

[@obayrafi2632]

We need a tldr for your tldr

[@Tamizushi]

@@obayrafi2632 DLDR Friends and fun.

[@BloodSweatandFears]

That’s too long too! 😂

[@Tamizushi]

@@BloodSweatandFears TLDR: LOL

[@BloodSweatandFears]

@@Tamizushi 😂 I’m expressing friendliness by laughing at your joke.

[@whizzerbrown1349]

Man, this animation is PHENOMENAL

[@simranmalhotra7364]

Loved the theme and the animation style!! And I had a big smile throughout😃😄 Thank you for another great lesson TED-Ed❤

[@exampill]

I like how we laugh, eat, talk, spit, etc. All with the same organ

[@randomname285]

etc eh.... 🤔

[@Kitty55634]

Thank god for all of this 😂❤

[@augm8184]

My fav theory of humor is that it signals that we aren’t or don’t need to take something so seriously, often that we are safe from and comfortable with something Ex: fake wrestling play, laughter as bullying for looking down on someone who can’t fight back, or just a friend’s abnormal antics

[@yessumify]

My son has a big beautiful laugh, full of joy. A bully told him he needs to be normal and laugh normally. I told my son would that be like a robot? There's no normal laughing amiright?

[@sev9530]

Surely the bully said that because he/she can't have that great laugh, because is sad or tense. Hope your son don't get afraid of being himself!!

[@JeffDeCaf]

My theory is, like crying, or shrieking in pain, genuine laughter is one of the few true expressions that humans do that are restrained by the contrivances of social etiquette. People's behaviour is usually so fake and restrained, that when someone laughs, we generally respond to it, in the same way that we often feel a visceral empathy when someone is in tears, or in agony.

[@robertarnold6192]

1:57 this reminds me of how dogs fake sneezes during play fights to show that the “aggression” is only a game

[@yonrexgameryt8494]

0:36 I started to laugh in this point LMAO

[@likuanyu8672]

Your videos always make me know stuff I didn’t ever thought about them❤

[@sapphyrus]

A good laugh is one of those times one feels glad to be alive.

[@poseidongaming8111]

I had a great laugh watching this video thanks TED

[@sketchyskies8531]

I’ve always wondered why I cry sometimes when I laugh

[@chhayamisal3874]

0:15 Those laughter's A & H balloons making ahhaha like they're subbing ones laughter, Really reminded me the fact, that they're not just animators they are artists

[@vishakhabanerjee4424]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:07 Laughter *involves rapid abdominal muscle contractions, altering breathing patterns and causing various physical reactions.* 01:36 Laughter *is observed in at least 65 species, suggesting its evolutionary significance in signaling friendly, non-aggressive intent during play.* 02:35 Human *laughter evolved with the development of large social groups and complex language abilities, expanding its functions beyond play to convey emotions and subtle meanings.* 03:06 Laughter *is contagious, activating key brain regions and influencing social bonds, with human laughter serving as a broadcast signal to those around.* 04:06 Laughter *is not only socially important but also beneficial for health, releasing feel-good neurotransmitters and reducing stress hormones, potentially improving cardiovascular health.* Made with HARPA AI

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

Thank you for the information.

[@pacosoentken303]

To hide the pain

[@Inky_101]

Best comment

[@sketchyskies8531]

Oh-

[@Slayygurlieeeee]

Not everyone

[@luisrios5703]

@4:52 I’m going to have a broken rib from laughing at that pun.

[@farheennaaz5290]

3:18 LOL 😂 the animation is really good.

[@minhmeo9506]

We laugh when we face something so laughable 😂 or so horribly tragic 😢

[@stateofmissouri5651]

This animation is so nice. Please keep stuff like this going!!!!!

[@euricequeen842]

I loooove to laugh so much. My boyfriend makes me laugh, i make him laugh too. Laughter and humor is a very important factor in any relationship with me.

[@Slayygurlieeeee]

This is so wholesome, you both are made for each other ❤

[@euricequeen842]

@@Slayygurlieeeee thank you. ❤️

[@Slayygurlieeeee]

@@euricequeen842 welcome ❤️

[@isaacthek]

Laughter typically also communicates the presence of multiple individuals, and therefore loud laughter is a broadcast that the individual is in a social group. This may attract members of the same species and also warn away potential predators.

[@scienceolympiadfoundation]

Laughter is the best medicine! A simple smile can make your day!

[@PeraltaDeOsio-oh3rs]

I find myself smiling as the video moves on to explaining its means, thanks for sharing this content. Surely, laughter is one great way for distressing.

[@secret7790]

Fun fact : you're deliberately laughing during watching this vedio😂

[@ZapayaGuy]

No

[@SchizoSam509]

Ok, Who laughed?

[@nathanielmitchell7516]

I did 😊

[@ambiliSM]

Loved those blue scientists with antennas!

[@loler49er]

“Live, laugh, love” -The sign on my Mom’s wall

[@TEDEd]

Mom knows what's up.

[@Friendship1nmillion]

​@@TEDEdEven though he can control his hands and facial muscles , I know someone who can't speak ( or walk ) due to brain damage at the age of 7 . Does this mean ( from your description in the video of origins in the brain of different types of laughter ) that he has difficulty laughing ? ♑️✍️💔

[@BacsiOnline_BSO]

This video is not only informative but also a joy to watch

[@MrsJudithWright]

Love this lesson, yes laughter is odd, thank goodness for it. So interesting. Rats can be tickled!

[@ZR3009]

This video *does put a smile on my face.*

[@prekshashrivastava2438]

How is it possible that whenever i think about something particular, Ted-Ed releases a video about it??? It's amazing!!!

[@thelibyanplzcomeback]

2:58 That explains why laugh tracks are added to TV shows.

[@Jar.Headed]

Sometimes, for me at least, I just laugh randomly at something, like computer errors or just, anything.

[@randomname285]

If random laughter bubbles up in me I don't question it, I go along with it, laughter is too precious to spurn

[@dharmrajmaurya715]

Why every time Ted Ed talk make me fall into love with their videos more and more.....very innovative.thanks alot

[@minryyvlogs]

2:40 is my favorite episode, this channel explains some things in a fun way and we get involved. It's weird that I'm laughing even now, but after watching this video, I understood it thoroughly. Thank you, I like getting new information!

[@showkathayat7790]

The will, thought and execution of the animation is impeccable and amusing :)

[@tobipeter8]

I could binge watch a comedy series with this animation style! It is so good an clean! Damn!

[@madeiraislander]

2:57 i lol'd 🤣 Very cute!

[@wooly_workshop]

Wow so I’m not lying when I say “I’m weak” 😅

[@impressivext]

2:41 really got me laughing there 😂😂😂

[@DaveSomething]

0:25 the laughing song, triggered a laugh, thanks!

[@pinakibose1177]

I know...cause like somethings are just hilarious and Laughable. Also the animation is super cute!🥺🐰🐻

[@eatpeanut-y7c]

An outbreaking animation, well done!

[@dr.strange5815]

Thought to be good for us? Literally living for it

[@elremito]

The image at 2:22 is kind of misleading, it reinforces the wrong idea that chimps are our ancestors (though they are as far from our common ancestors as we are)

[@PhonkSociety]

I remember when I start laughing when my sister said to me our mom was sick (that was just a flu don’t worry) but I started to laugh so much when she said it to me but I felt sad and worried about my mom but my sister trough that I actually was having fun because of it and I still feel bad for that situation up to this day 😭

[@videakias3000]

I like how you put kirby in the thumbnail.

[@aravindnarayanan5664]

Wonderful music, narration and lesson! Thank you, guys :)

[@chiramana_]

I like this so much. Have a good day 😁

[@jaysonweber8490]

Because we are silly whimsical and full of joy 😊

[@majoanamalayil6800]

This channel is amazing and stunning ❤️❤️

[@DoofenSpyroDragon16]

That’s it, imma continue my comedy binge watching since it’s good for you. 😄

[@vasinh838]

أنا عربي و أعجبت كثيرا بهذه القناة انها تحفة ❤❤❤❤

[@Vaish.001]

love this channel

[@mollyhoffman7313]

Why do people slap their legs or the legs of the person next to them when they laugh? And why is it that the more intense the laugh is, the further down the leg the slap is (at least for me)?

[@namelesscare7982]

To become optimistic and look at all things positively in certain situations. That's why I think human beings laugh sometimes.

[@aristeidiskalas-py1fs]

Those type of videos make me love myself for some reasonc

[@stefansauvageonwhat-a-twis1369]

Fun fact, Kea parrots seem to also have laughter while playing around in the cold mountains of New Zealand oh yeah theyre also quite smart and the only cold climate parrots

[@tombulorumcek]

Hi, Laughter vs purring(?): Near the end of the lecture, Sasha mentions that laughter can not heal bones. Feline purring plays a similar social role to human laughter: creates bonds between the individuals and a shared communal sense of safety. It is also utilized when in dire pain or morbid fear to ease the panic response which is not dissimilar to human laughter or chuckling responses. A while ago I read that the frequency of purring can help soft tissue and even bone healing. This article also claimed that being in contact with a purring feline can improve the healing of bones for other individuals including humans. Are all the species listed in this clip have similar traits as laughter? Is purring unique in this kind of adaptation? (Or is it even unique in any way?) Can you please lead me to research for a comparison of these kinds of communal traits and their capabilities? BEST REGARDS.

[@iddiadamasalahedine3258]

Why did I start laughing as the video began? Surely Ted you did something 😂

[@chelseawhite7117]

Some of these laugh tracks are making me laugh ironically, it sounds like they’re sobbing

[@chrolloourlordandsaviour7840]

“It’s like an invitation to share someone’s emotional state” bro humans are so adorable but this goes for not just laughing but all other emotional states, how we project our feelings onto the world invites others to reflect that behaviour towards us,, (crying, yelling, lusting) “treat others how you want to be treated”

[@ericswain4177]

Generally speaking, laughter is a sign of non-confront of uncomfortable situations to a more or less degree. It's sort of a safety valve and buffer.

[@user-ld1ko1tf1b]

Lough is so good that I will look for interesting things everyday❤

[@NizomiddinSayfiddinov-is9hc]

This made me happy😊 Really , I had great laugh watching this video .Thank you so much)

[@Asian1056]

Tickling is something that makes us laugh. But we actually try to get rid of it.

[@Sircorndog411]

Hearing people laugh in the videos and the word laughing so much made me laugh😂

[@tangytablets5150]

I need me a good laugh right now. Just been stuck in a bout of existential anxiety.

[@Shishi.minming]

Just the laugh in the beginning already made me laugh 😭 rip to my humor 😭😭

[@AnotherW3irdThing]

this guys laugh is gunna keep me up tonight

[@RabbitNeckyBecky]

Me and my friend once had a 12 minute laughing fit because her mom walked in while we were recording and asked where she got the cheese whiz in her lunchbox. She said she got it from her boyfriend and when when her mom asked who her boyfriend was,she pointed to the cheese whiz. It wasn't even that funny- Laughing for so long was painful but worth it.

[@감규울-w5f]

I REALLY like the smile thumbnail. It’s lovely 😊😊

[@bagguetteb]

The amount of times I laughed! awesome vid! ☺️🌸😊✨😂

[@fivestarfox5277]

the art style is PERFECT!

[@plamenplamen897]

Idea For Riddle: There are 100 mice waiting for cheese every second the first mouse eats one piece of cheese so does the second but the third mouse get 2 pieces of cheese and every time the gap between the mice getting more than one piece of cheese increases by one and the pieces of cheese double so after the third mouse the next mouse would be the seventh mouse and it would get 4 pieces of cheese since the third mouse got 2 and the block of cheese is 100 pieces each but after the 50th piece of cheese eating the pattern goes backwards so the gap between mice eating more pieces of cheese than one deacreases by one and the peace’s of cheese they’re getting twice as less cheese and the question is which place is the best to get the most cheese?

[@zandrew4921]

Laughter involves physical responses, such as muscle contractions, with altered breathing and sometimes tearing. It is not confined to humans; voicing occurs in most Malik plays, particularly mammals and birds, so apparently it evolved to signal non-aggressive intentions. In the case of humans, it spread outside of play to express emotions and send social signals-frequently contagious and bonding. The brain regions also actuated by laughter are associated with happiness and reduction in stress, thereby reinforcing both mental and physical health. It's universal behavior from infancy on up, key to social bonds, key to health.

[@saudade8448]

I’ve been t thinking about universal eye contact. I’d love to see a video about it!

[@sarmadali7191]

4 seconds in and I'm already laughing cuz of the animation 😂

[@Pratyu-v6p]

This animation is so good

[@mykailalazaro7742]

Throughout the video i cant stop letting out small laughs and smiling too

[@МусоАхмадалиев]

thank you an informative video

[@suno5437]

I laughed while watching this

[@user-sq6vq2mt7u]

Laughter is only cure for depression...and also only friend.

[@justacatreadingabook5124]

Imagine the guy who fills in the laughing sound

[@Hallows4]

I honestly feel very torn about laughter: I’ve never been known for my sense of humor, yet if something hits me just right, it can make me laugh like crazy and I don’t give a damn. I don’t believe in laughing unless I actually find something funny, yet I have no issues with public outbursts of it. I’ve known people who laugh loudly and frequently, yet it’s often done in such an exaggerated manner that it makes me inwardly groan and wonder if it’s a genuine reaction (or if humor is even involved).